Context-Based User Interface for Software Functionality Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software applications lack effective means for users to provide context-based functionality requests, as existing interfaces are generic and break the user's contextual reference, limiting the ability to suggest new or desired functions during normal operation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing context-based user interface elements such as drop-down menus, buttons, or hot-keys that allow users to input requests with textual, guided, or multiple-choice inputs, capturing contextual information like screenshots or data at the time of the request, and analyzing these to determine existing or similar functionalities, suggesting them to users and submitting feedback to developers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If generic textual request interfaces are provided for functionality input, then users can submit feedback requests, but the user's contextual reference is broken and the requests lack contextual information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing contextual information (screenshots, application state data, metadata) before the user submits their functionality request. This ensures the context is preserved and attached to the request without requiring the user to manually provide it, thus maintaining contextual reference while enabling feedback submission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality request interface with the contextual information capture mechanism. Instead of separating the request submission from context collection, the system combines them so that whenever a user accesses the feedback interface, contextual data is automatically gathered and bundled with their request, eliminating information loss while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If users must navigate away from a working screen to provide textual requests, then feedback can be collected, but the user's contextual reference is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback request interface is designed as a universal, multi-functional element that can be accessed from any working screen within the application. Rather than requiring navigation to a dedicated feedback page, the same interface components (text box, submit button) are embedded throughout the application, allowing users to provide feedback while maintaining their current contextual reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that bridges the working screen and feedback submission. Contextual information acts as the intermediary, being automatically captured from the current screen and attached to the user's request, thus maintaining the connection between the user's context and their feedback without requiring physical navigation away from the working screen.
3Device complexity
If only ratings and error feedback are provided, then simple user input is collected, but the ability to address new or desired functions during normal operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism transitions from a static, limited set of options (ratings and error reports only) to a dynamic system that adapts to the user's current context. The interface becomes versatile by automatically adjusting the contextual information captured based on what is available at the moment of interaction, enabling users to suggest new functionality while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service functionality suggestion by automatically capturing and attaching relevant contextual information to user requests. Users don't need to manually describe their desired functionality or provide context - the system serves itself by gathering the necessary information from the application state, thus maintaining simplicity while dramatically increasing versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method, machine readable storage medium, and system for context based user request for functionality. In one embodiment, software instructions may be executed by a computer processor to: provide a UI element for a software application to receive user request for functionality, initiate a context based functionality request responding to a user action on the UI element, provide UI input element(s) to receive user input for the context based functionality request, capture contextual information from the software application based on initiation of the context based functionality request, and receive submission of the context based functionality request and the captured contextual information.